Window-operating apparatus



June 29 1926.

I C. MILLER WINDOW OPERATING APPARATUS 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 max.

ATTORNEY Filed March 20,

C. MILLER WINDOW OPERATING APPARATUS Filed March 20, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR c aummm.

June 29 1926.

' leave the bed.

' sTA'rEs CHARLES MILLER, 01' LOlTG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK.

wmnow-oriim'rme APPARATUS.

Application m Iarch 20,1925. Serial 1%. 16,972.

This invention relates more particularly to a class of apparatus for use in conjunction with windows. x Y

My invention has for its object'pi'imarily to provide a mechanism designed to be employed in buildings andother. structures for raising and lowering a single sash of a window or raising and lowering the lower and upper sashes of the window in unisonas well as capable of being made for raising and lowering the sashes different consecutive distances, and which is electrically operative for enabling the apparatus to be operated by one or a number of switches to avoid manual exertion when desired to o n and shut the window, besides enabling the switches to be so arranged whereby a person while lying in bed may cause the apparatus to be operated for raisingl and lowering the sashes for overcoming t e requirement to The invention consists essentially of attaching cables to a single sash or to the lower and upper sashes of a'flwii dow, and mechanism is provided for mov ng the cables to raise and lower the single sash or to raise and lower both sashes simultaneously. The mechanism is operated by an electric circuit, and the circuit may be closed and opened by one or a number of independently operative switches. Interposed in the circuit is means which is adjustable for controlling the circuit to operate the mechanism for raising the single sash or for raising the lower sash and lowering the upper sash in unison and to cause the mechanism to reversely operate for subsequently lowering the single sash or for subsequently lowering the lower sash and raising the upper sash in unison. When a number of the separately operative sw tches are employed a controller is provided in the circuit for being operated with the closing of the circuit by operation of each switch to operate the inechanism for raising and lowering the sashes determined consecutive distances, in order. that the windows may be suitably opened and closed withoutunanual etfort or allowing the sashes to be raised and lowered diiferent heights while a person 00- cupies a bed or the like.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a windows operating mechanism of a simple, efiicient and durable construction which may be made of appropriate forms adapted for use with windows of various sizes and types.

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With these and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more fully ex planned with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding arts in all the views and will then be pointe out in the claims-at I the end of the description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view. showing an elevation of a window taken on the line 1-1 ofFi 2, and

mechwhich show's'parts of my improve anism applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, partly in 'detail, taken on the line 2.2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view, partly ipagmlentary, taken on the line H of Fig. 4 is .an enlar ed sectional view, partly fragmentary an partly in detail, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit for operating the apparatus with an elevation of the controller used in the apparatus.

The apparatus iO may be applied to an suitable form of window, as A, of a buil ing or other structure, having a single sash or having a lower sash, as B and an upper sash, as C, which may be counterbalanced in the usual manner by two or more weights, as D, E. Included in the apparatus 10 are two cables, 11, 12 operatively arranged within the frame, as F, of the window at the sides of the sashes B, 0. Part of the cable '11 is attached by means of a bracket 13 to the lower portion Of ODG of the side edges of the lower sash B of the window, and part of this cable is attached by means of another bracket 14 to the lower part of one of the side edges of the upper sash C of the win- Part of the cable 12 is secured by means of a bracket 15 to the lower portion of the other side edge of the lower sash, B, and part of the cable 12 is secured by means of a bracket 16 to the lower portion of the second side edge of the upper sash C of the window.

The front part of the sill G, of the frame F of the window under the sashes may be recessed lengthwise, as at H, and in spaced arts of the rear portion of the sill at the ower end of the cables 11, 12 may be recessed, as at I and J, and these spaced recesses communicate with the recess H On the wall of-the recess I of the sill of the window is a bracket or bearing 17 in which is journaled one end of a short shaft or stud 18 which extends'into-the recessH, and on this stud is a drum 19 on which the cable 11 is wrapped. In bearings 20 provided in the upper part of the frame F of the window 1s journaled the ends of ashort shaft or stud 21, and on this stud is a drum 22 on which the cable 11 is also wrapped. On the wall of the recess J of the sill G of the window is a bracket or bearing 23 in which 1s journaled one end of a short shaft or stud 24 which extends into the recess H, and. on this stud is a drum 25 on which the cable 12 is wrapped.

In bearings 26 provided inthe upper part of the frame F of the window is journaled the ends of a short shaft or stud 27, and on this stud is a drum 28 on which the cable 12 is also wrapped. The drums 19 and 22 are so spaced apart that the cable 11 is held movably taut thereon, and the drums 25 and 28 are likewise spaced apart so that the cable 12 is'held movably taut thereon. The cables 11 and 12 are also of suflicient lengths when 0 erated to permit the lower,

sash of the win ow to be raised and lowered different consecutive distances and simultaneously therewith to permit the upper sash to be raised and lowered different consecutive distances.

The drums and cables form parts of a mechanism 29 which is operative for raising and lowering the sashes. The mechanism 29 may be of any appropriate type, though the form of the mechanism shown has a shaft 30 disposed in th recess H of the still G of the window below the studs 18, 2101? the drums 19 and 25, and this shaft is journaled in spaced bearings 31, 32 provided on the bottom of the recess H of the sill of the window. On the part of the shaft 30 under the stud 18 of the drum 19 is a worm 33,.and meshing with this worm is a worm gear 34 held on the stud 18 of the drum 19. On the part of the shaft 30 under the stud 24'is another worm 35, and meshing with this worm is a worm gear 36 held on the stud 24.

The shaft 30, worm. gears 33, 34 and 35, 36 are operated preferably by an electric circuit, as 37 Fig. 5.. The circuit 37 may derive its current from any suitable source of electrical energy, such as a battery 38, and the circuit leads to a motor 39 of any well known or preferred reversible type which is provided for driving the shaft 30 of the mechanism 29. The circuit 37 is adapted to be closed and opened by one or a number of switches 40, 41, 42 preferably of push plug ty es which may be provided in the room 0 a building having the window so that an occupant of a bed or the like may conveniently operate the switches without leaving the bed. Also interposed the circuit 29 is another switch 43 of a suitable form which is preferably arranged in proximity to Serving to allow the sashes of the win- I dow to be synchronously raised and lowered determined consecutive distances, in the recess H of the sill G'of the frame of the window and adjacent the stud 24 of the drum 25 is a controller, as 44, Figs. 2, 4, ,5. The controller 44 is preferably of a form having a base plate 45 which protrudes from the end wall of the recess H of the sill of the window so that the central part of the base plate is in front of the stud 24 of the drum 25. On the face of the base plate 45 opposed to the forward end of the stud 24 is an annular insulating plate 46, and embedded in the exposed face of the insulating plate are three conductive contact plates, as 47, 48, 49. These contact plates are of arcshapes of curvatures so that they are relatively disposed in the fashion of a circle in surrounding positions relative to the stud 24, and the contact plates are of such lengths that their ends are spaced from each other. The parts of the insulating plate 46 between the ends of the contact plates provide interrupters, as 50, 51, 52, for shutting off the,

current of the circuit at determined intervals, and in the interrupting spaces 50, 51, 52 of the insulating plate 46 midway between the opposed ends of the contact plates 47, 48, 49 are contacts 01' conductive small plates or blocks 53, 54, 55. The insulating plate 46 is larger in diameter than the diameter of the annular contact plates 47, 48, 49 to provide an outer marginal edge 56 sur-- rounding the contact plates, and in this marginal edge are spaced notches or stops 57, 58, 59 each in proximity to the contact blocks 53, 54, 55. F ixed on the end of the stud 24 opposed to the insulating plate 46 is an insulating sleeve 61, and on the outer periphery of this insulating sleeve is a conductive collar 62 having a conductive arm or bracket 63. The conductive bracket 63 is of an angular shape disposed in closely spaced relation crosswise of the contact plates 47, 48, 49, and this conductive bracket with its head, as 64, are adapted to movably engage the notches 57, 58, 59 of the insulating plate 46. In part of the conductive bracket opposed to the contact plates 47, 48, 49 is a recessed member, as 65, and yieldingly movable inwardly and outwardy of the mouth of this recessed member is a contact pin 66 having a stem 67 movably disposed through a hole in the bottom wall of the recessed memher. The head 68 of the contact pin 66 movably engages the exposed face of the contact plates 47, 48, 49, and in the recessed member 65 surrounding the stem 67 of the contact pin 66 is a spiral s ring'69 .tensioned for thrusting the pin so t at its head 68 is forced to yieldingly engage the contact plates 47, 48, 49 when the bracket 63 is rotatlvely swung by the driving of the stud 24 and the insulating sleeve 61. The conductive collarv 62 of the conductive bracket 63 is movably enga ed by a conductivespring contact strip, as %O', which is suitably supported and interposed in the circuit as well as interposin'g the collar 62, bracket 63 and contact pin 66 in the circuit 37.

The switch 43 of the electric circuit 37 may be of a formhaving two spaced connected arms 71, 72 which are pivoted, at 73, and one end of the arm 72 of the switch is connected to a wire 74 leadingfrom one terminal of the battery 38. From the second terminal of the battery is a wire 75 leading to each of the switches 40, 41, 42, and from'this wire 75 is a wire 76 which leads to the contact plate 49 of the controller 44. Connected to one end of the arm 71- of the switch 43 is a wire 77 which leads to the conductive spring strip 70. The second ends of the arms 71, 72 of the switch 43 are adapted with'th'e pivotal adjustment of the switch 43 to detachably engage two of three contacts 78, 79, 80. Leading from the contact 80 to'one'of the terminals of the motor 39 is a wire 81, and connected to'the wire 81 is a wire 82 which leads to the contact v78. Conneetedto the contact 7 9 is a wire 83 which leads to the second terminal of the motor 39. To the wire 76 is connected a wire 84 which leads to the contact plate 48 of the controller 44, and also connected to the wire 76 is another wire 85 leading to the contact plate 47 of the controller. The contact block 53 of the con troller 44 is interposed in the circuit by a wire 86 which leads to the push plug switch 40. Leading from the switch 41 to the con-' tact block 54 is a wire 87, and leading from the switch 42 to the contact block 55 is a wire 88. The head 68 of the conductive contact pin 66 is larger than the width of each of the contact blocks 53, 54, 55.

When it isdesired to simultaneously raise the lower sash B and lower the upper sash C of the windowv determined distances, the switch 43 is moved for example so that its arms 71 and 72 engage the contacts 78, 79, as shown in Fig. 5. When the push switch 40 is then operated the circuit will be closed from the battery over wire 75 to the switch 40, and from the battery the circuit will be closed over wire 74, through the arm 72 of the switch 43, and over wire 83 to one terminal of the motor 39. The. circuit will be closed from the switch 40, over wire 86, through the contact block 53, through the contact pin 66, through the bracket 63, throu h the collar 62, through the spring strip 70, over wire 77, through the arm 71 of the switch 43, over wire 82 and over wire 81 to the second terminal of the motor 39. The circuit will also be closed from the batteryv over wire 75, over wire 85 to the contact plate 47. The motor will then operate to drive the shaft 30 and worm gears 33, 34 and 35, 36 which in turn will rotate thestuds 18,

.24 for revolving the drums 19, 25, and the cables 11, 12 will move to simultaneously raise the lower sash and lower the upper sash the desired distances. tion of the stud 24 the bracket 63 of the con- With the rotatroller 44 will move from left to right for causing the head 68 of the contact pin 66 to move on the contact plate 47 its entire length. The impetus of the motor will carry the bracket 63 'suflicient distance beyond the contact plate 47 for causing the head 65. of

the pin 66 to jump the interrupting space 51 so t rat the head of the pin w1ll move upon the contact block 54. The contact blocks 53, 54, 55 are proportioned and spaced from the ends of the contact plates 47, 48, 49 to allow the bracket 63 and pin- 66 to move from each contact plate to the next adjacent contact block, and to move from each contactblock to the next adjacent contact plate in each successive step in theoperation of the aptances, the push switch 41 is operated, the

switch 43- remaining in its present position with its arms engaging the contacts 7 8, 79 of the wires 81, 83. The circuit will be closed from the battery 38, over wire 75 to the switch 41, and from the battery the aircuit will be closed over wire 7 4, through the arm 72 of the switch 43 and over wire 83 to one terminal ofthe motor 39. From the switch 41 the circuit will be closed over wire.

87, through the contact block 54, through the contact pin 66, through the bracket 63,

strip 0, over wire 77, through the arm 71 of the switch 43, over wire 82 and over wire 81 to the second terminal of the motor 39. The circuit will also be closed from the battery 38, over wire 75, over wire 76 and over'wire 84 to contact-plate 48. The motor will then operate to drive the shaft 30 and worm gears 33, 34 and 35, 36 which will rotate the studs 18, 24 for revolving the drums 19, 25, and the cables 11, 12 will simultaneously move for raisin the lower sash and lowering the upper sas the desired distances. With the throu h the collar 62, through the spring rotation of the stud 24 the bracket 63 of the controller 44 will move for causing the head 68 of the contact pin 66 to move on the con-' tact plate 48 its entire length, and the impetus of the motor will carry the bracket 63 beyond the contact plate 48 for causing the head 68 of the pin 66 to jump the interrupting space 52 so that the head of the pin will engage the contact block 55 with the head 64 of the bracket being seated in the notch 59 of the insulating plate 46.

When it is desired to simultaneously raise the lower sash B and lower the upper sash C of the window still further determined distances', the push switch 42 is operated, while the switch 43 remains in its present position.

The circuit will be closed from the battery 38, over wire 75 to the switch 42, and from the battery the circuit will be closed over wire 74, through the arm 72 of the switch 43 and over wire 83 to one terminal of the motor 39. From the switch 42 the circuit will be closed over wire 88, through the contact block 55, through the contact pin 66,.

through the bracket 63, through the collar 62, through the spring strip 70, over wire 77,

through the arm 71 of the switch 43, over wire 82 and over wire 81 to the second terminal of the motor. The circuit will also be closed from the battery, over wire 75 and over wire 76 to contact plate 49. The motor will then operate to drive the shaft 30 and worm gears 33, 34 and 35, 36 which will drive the studs 18, 24 for revolving the drums 19, 25, and the cables 11, 12 will simultaneously move for raising the lower sash and lowering the upper sash the desired distances. With the driving of the stud 24 the bracket 63 of the controller 44 will move for causing the head 68 of the contact pin 66 to move on the contact plate 49 its entire length, and the impetus of the motor will carry the bracket 63 beyond the contact plate 49 for causing the head 68 of the pin 66 to jump the interrupting space 50 so that the head of the pin 66 will engage the contact block 53 with the head 64 of the bracket 63 being seated in the notch 59 of the insulating plate 46. The window of a room of a building may thereby be suitably opened by the raising of the lower sash and lowering of the upper sash three successive determined distances. When it is desired to close the Window by lowering the lower sash and raising the upper sash consecutive distances the switch 43 is swung so that its arms 71, 7 2 engage the contacts 7 9, 80 of the wires 81, 83 which lead to the motor 39. By then op erating the switch 42, then the switch 41 and then the switch 40 at successive intervals the circuit will be successively closed for reversely operating the motor which in turn will reversely operate the parts of the 1118011".

anism 29 and the controller 44 to cause the sashes to be moved to close the window without requiring a person occupying a bed or the like in a room to leave the same to close the window.

In the foregoing description, I have embodied the preferred form of my invention, but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, therefore, I reserve to myself the right to make such changes'as fairly fall within the scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Iatent:

1. The combination with a window, of two cables movably supported at each side of the window and both cables attached to the lower and upper sashes, a shaft rotatably mounted crosswise of the window, a reversible electric motor for driving the shaft, means operative by the shaft to move the cables for simultaneously raising the lower sash of the window and lowering the upper sash of the window, an electric circuit leading to the motor, means for controlling the circuit to drive the motor in one direction and to reversely operate the motor, three independently operative switches for closing and opening the circuit at successive intervals, and a controller in the circuit operative with the operation of each of the switches to operate the motor, shaft, and said shaft operative means for moving the cables to raise and lower in unison the sashes of the window determined consecutive distances.

2. The combination with a window, of a pair of. rotative drums, one at each side of the upper partof the window, a second pair of rotative drums, one at each side of the lower part of the window, two cables each movable over the drums at each side of the window and both cables attached to the lower and upper sashes, a shaft rotatably mounted crosswise of the window, a reversible electric motor for driving the shaft, gearing operative b the shaft for operating the lower pair 0 drums to operate the cables for simultaneously raising the lower sash of the window and lowering the upper sash of the window, an electric circuit leading to the motor, means for controlling the circuit to drive the motor in one direction and to reversely operate the m0- tor, three inde endently operative switches for closing an opening the circuit at successive intervals, and a controller in the circuit operative with the operation of each of the switches to operate the motor, shaf gearing and lower air of drums for moving the cables to raise and lower in unison the sashes of the window determined con secutive distances.

3. The combination with cables and mech- I unison, of independently operative switches each for opening and closing the circuit at successive intervals, means adjustable for controlling the circuit to operate said mechanism and cables for simultaneously raising the lower sash and lowering the upper sash by operating eachjof the switches to close the circuit and to cause the mechanism and cables to reversely operate for simultaneously lowering the lower sash andraising the upper sash by subsequently operating each of the switches to close the circuit, and a controller in the circuit operative with the operation of each of the switches to operate the mechanism and cables for raising and lowering the sash determined consecutive distances.

4. The combination with two cables at tached to the lower and upper sashes of a window, of a shaft rotatably mounted crosswise of the window, a reversible electric motor for driving the shaft, means operative by the shaft to move the cables for simultaneously raising the lower sash of the window and lowering the upper sash of the window, an electric circuit leading to the motor, means for controllingthe circuit to drive the motor in one direction and to reversely operate the motor, and a switch for closing and opening the circuit to operate the motor and shaft for moving the cables to raise and lower in unison the sashes of the window.

5. The combination with a pair of rotative drums, one at each side of the upper part of a window and a second pair of rotative drums, one at each side of the lower part of the window, of two cables each movable over the drums at each side of the window and both cables attached to the lower and upper sashes, a shaft rotatably mounted crosswise of the window, a reversible electric motor for driving the shaft, means operative by the shaft for operating the lower pair of drums to operate the cables. for simultaneously raising the lower sash of the window and lowering the upper sash of the window, an electric circuit leading to the motor means for controlling the circuit to drive t e motor in one direction and to reversely operate the motor, and a switch for closing and opening the circuit to operate themotor, shaft, and lower pair of drums for moving the cables to raise and lower in unison the sashes of the window.

6. lhe combination with a pair of rotative drums, one at each side of the upper part of a window and a second pair of rotative drums, one at each side of the lower part of the window, of two cables each movable over the drums at each side of the window and both cables attached to the lower and upper sashes of the window, a reversible electric motor, means operative by the motor for operating the lower pair of drums to operate the cables for simultaneously raising the lower sash of the window and lowering the upper sash of the window, an electric circuit leading to the motor, means for controlling the circuit to drive the motor in one direction and to reversely operate the motor, independently operative switches for closing and opening the circuit at successive intervals, and a controller in the circuit operative with the operation of each of the switches to operate the motor, drum operative means and lower pair of drums for moving the cablesto raise and lower in unison the sashes of the window determined consecutive distances.

7. The combination with a pair of rotative drums, one at each side of the upper part of a window and a second pair of rotativc drums, one at each side of the lower part of the window, of two cables each movable over the drums at each side of the window and both cables attached to the lower and upper sashes of the window, means foroperating'the lower pair of drums to operate the cables for simultaneously raising the lower sash of the window and lowering the upper sash of the window, an electric circuit for operating said means, independently operative switches for closing and opening the circuit at successive intervals, and a controller in the circuit operativewith the operation of each of the switches for closing the circuit to operate the drum operative means for moving the cables to raise and lower in unison the sashes of the window determined consecutive distances.

This specification signed this 19th day of March A. D. 1925.

CHARLES MILLER. 

